The Viking's Apprentice

by Kevin McLeod

  Chapter 8

  Charlotte and James were getting ready for bed in their house just off the main street. The house was situated on the water in a very picturesque part of Campbell’s Cove. Charlotte looked out of her window and gazed at the night sky full of bright stars. She loved the night and the peace of the cove. She enjoyed listening to the water, and the smell of the beach. Her thoughts turned to the cave adventure they had today and how silly George was. It was nice to see Peter again, and she liked George as well. Charlotte was looking forward to seeing them tomorrow, and also to finding out what Peter's Granddad had planned for them. She left the curtains open and turned off the light. Her room became dark, although the moonlight cast a soft glow across her bed. She thought it was odd that the light from the moon did not reach the far corner of her room or the ceiling where she had her own stars that glowed in the night. One patch of the stars was not glowing; in fact, they didn't seem to be there at all. Just as Charlotte became curious about these dark patches the patches themselves moved. Charlotte was too shocked to react, and before she could regain her senses the shadows had fallen to the floor and were on her. She tried to scream but no sound came, and before she could struggle something was carrying her towards the window and into the night.

  James thought he heard a noise from Charlotte’s room. He was about to bang on the wall, to tell her to be quiet, when something grabbed his arm as he swung it. Confusion overtook him as he tried to work out what was holding him. It looked like a shadow but couldn't be; he must be dreaming. James tried to sit up, but something else now pinned him down. He was lifted and taken out his bed and moved towards the window. The window was pushed open, and James was carried out into the night. He had the sensation of flying, but he was not in control. James looked to his left and saw Charlotte being carried in the same fashion by what looked like several shadows. Confused and scared he tried to scream and struggle, but could do neither. As he continued to look around him, he saw more and more children floating silently through the air, carried by these dark creatures. He realised that the direction they were taking them was back to the caves they had visited earlier. His mind raced through some of the stories Peter's Granddad had told them through the years, surely they could not be true. Panic gripped him; he struggled to break free, but it was useless. The shadow walkers' work had begun, and it seemed nothing would stop them.

  Up in the mansion house, George had just got comfortable in his bed when he realised he had left the window open. How annoying he thought, as he got up to shut it he stopped in his tracks. There was a shadow sitting in the chair over by the window; only there couldn't be because there was no one for the shadow to belong to. Silently it rose up as another dark shape floated in through the window. Together they stepped very slowly towards George. He tried to call out but couldn't. He tried to move his legs, but they would not obey the command. The shadows were just about to reach him when a bright light filled the room, and the knight in the painting came to life. His sword glowed, and he cut through the shadows which disintegrated right in front of George. I am dreaming he thought to himself, I must be, this can’t happen. The knight looked at George then moved to the window and closed it.

  ‘Go to Peter then head for the study, the time is here,’ the knight said then turned to stand guard at the window. ‘Hurry they will know who we are now, and others will come. This is just the beginning.’

  George finally got his legs to move and hurried next door to Peter's room where he found Peter on his bed, wide awake, staring at his window. Standing in front of the window, with his sword drawn, was the knight from Peter's painting. Outside the window a shadow creature floated silently, seemingly staring into the room. Then it was gone, and the knight turned to face the boys.

  ‘Get to the study your Granddad will know what to do,’ he said no more and turned back towards the window.

  George grabbed Peter, and the boys ran down the stairs to the study followed by Jake. They opened the door stopping in their tracks. Both gryphons from the library were now alive and in the study. One was watching the window while the other was being stroked by Granddad.

  ‘It seems I was right, and we have no time to lose,’ he began, ushering the boys to sit.

  ‘The shadow walkers are amongst us, which means children will be going missing from all over the Cove and the areas nearby. They have made several attempts to get in here and soon their masters will know what this mansion is.’

  ‘What is this mansion?’ asked Peter.

  ‘This mansion is this Cove’s defence against attacks like tonight. This mansion is where we prepare to fight.’

  ‘How can all these statues and paintings come to life?' asked George, staring at the gryphon by the window.

  ‘This mansion holds a powerful magic that lies dormant until an enemy tries to attack. That attack began tonight, releasing the magic,' Granddad said rising from his chair and taking a quick look out the window.

  ‘Every statue, painting and rug in this house that holds a picture of a knight or some beast you thought was mythical is, in fact, a guardian. They will protect this house and all who are in it from any form of attack, and more of them will become active as the attacks increase.’

  George was about to ask a question when there was a loud knocking on the front door. Granddad stood up and moved out to the hallway followed by the boys and one of the gryphons. The two knights at the bottom of the stairs had now come to life and were standing in a defensive position.

  ‘Who’s there?’ Granddad called.

  ‘Jacob, it’s us, the attack has begun we must act now.’

  Granddad rushed to the door opening it quickly. Three men walked in and headed straight for the study. They did not seem surprised to see the gryphon or the knights and smiled at the boys as they passed them. With everyone in the study, Granddad explained who the visitors were.

  ‘These are the church Elders; they know all about the mansion and the true history of the cove.’ He turned to the Elders then continued to speak.

  ‘Tell me what you know, what is happening out there right now?’

  ‘Children have started to disappear, parents are scared, and the small police force cannot cope,' one of the Elders said.

  ‘Have you done what is expected of you?’ Granddad asked.

  ‘We have, but it will not last long. We must act now. It is time to awaken all the guardians and go to the caves before it is too late,’ another added.

  ‘We have the Longship, and we have the guardians. We are ready this time, and there is no Tolldruck to contend with,' Granddad replied.

  ‘I'll wake all the guardians then we will go to the caves and bring back the children. George and Peter, you must remain here. I cannot put you at risk in the caves.'

  ‘We want to come, we want to help, what if they have Charlotte and James?’

  ‘The boys could go to the Longship. They would be safe there with the Viking guardians,’ one of the Elders said.

  ‘That's true enough; boys you must go with Elder Sanderson and stay with the Longship. I cannot take you with me to the caves; it's too dangerous. You will be safe on the ship, and you can join us later if need be.' Granddad said.

  Before the boys could argue there was a loud roar from outside the study. Granddad grabbed the sword, rushing passed the boys into the hall. The boys followed on after the Elders, stopping dead in their tracks as soon as they were out of the study. The dragon from the large rug was standing at the foot of the stairs with one creature pinned under its foot while another had already been defeated and was lying broken by the front door. The two knights from the bottom of the stairs were fighting off more of the creatures who were coming from the kitchen. The gryphons gave a shrill cry and raced to the join the fight.

  ‘Goblins!’ shouted Granddad. ‘They’ve found a way in, be careful and stay together.’

  Granddad charged with a speed that defied his age, cutting down three goblins before they knew what had happened.
Together the knights, gryphons and Granddad began to win the fight, pushing the goblins back into the kitchen. The old dog flap was lying broken on the floor. The remaining goblins growled and shrieked as they were forced back and out through the flap into the night. Granddad turned around to make sure the boys were ok then asked the knights to guard the kitchen. He moved back into the hall to talk to the boys as the three knights from the picture in the games room came in. They bowed to Granddad, standing ready. A loud cry from the top of the stairway drew everyone's attention to the giant eagle from the upstairs library and next to it the dragon from the bathroom. Beneath them both, looking slightly less imposing, was Jake who barked then ran down to join Peter.

  ‘The guardians are all coming to life; the threat to this place is increasing,’ one of the Elders said.

  ‘Then we must act quickly and go and summon the others,’ Granddad replied.

  ‘Boys, go to the Longship and stay close to the guardians. I have a special one to look after you while I am gone,’ said Granddad turning towards his study as a large shadow fell on the doorway. Soon the shadow filled the door then stretched into the hall. A large bear strode into the hall, even on all fours it just made it through the door. It looked to Granddad; they stared at each other before the bear nodded and began to move to the basement. Granddad told the boys to follow. There was no point in protesting so Peter, George and Jake followed the bear into the basement passage. Elder Sanderson came with them, and to their amazement, he began to talk to the bear.

  ‘It's good to see you Arto; it has been an age since we have walked side by side.’

  The bear growled then nodded in agreement.

  ‘It has been too long Elder, and I wish it were in better circumstances,' Arto replied. Peter and George exchanged stunned looks and Peter mouthed ‘He talks' to George who just nodded his head staring at the bear.

  ‘You boys will be safe with me. I owe your Granddad my life, and will not let any harm come to you.’ Arto turned and looked at each boy in turn.

  ‘Wh-what do you mean you owe him your life?’ George asked.

  The bear was about to answer when the Elder placed his hand on the bear and shook his head.

  ‘The boys do not know everything?’ Arto asked the Elder.

  ‘Not yet, and I think it should be for Peter’s Granddad to tell them.’

  Arto nodded in silent agreement and continued down the passage. Arto froze as they entered the underground harbour. The boys and the Elder stood still watching the giant bear looking from left to right scanning the whole area as the lights came on. He walked slowly out into the middle of the stone floor and stood very still. Without any warning he dashed to the left, rising up on two legs, letting out a roar that shook the whole basement. Arto flashed out one powerful paw grabbing a shadow on the wall; the shadow started to squirm and tried to free itself. Arto ignored the struggle calmly walking over to the Elder.

  ‘Ah a shadow walker, this will be your last night walking the darkness,’ Elder Sanderson said reaching into the inside pocket of his coat, pulling out a small bottle that had a very bright, almost glowing, liquid in it. The shadow walker screeched and struggled even harder, but it was no use Arto would not let go. The Elder unscrewed the lid and dropped a single drop of the glowing liquid onto the shadow walker. Instantly the struggling stopped, and Arto let go. The creature fell to the floor without a sound or sign of life. The light from the single drop began to spread slowly at first then picked up speed. The shadow walker was transformed into a being full of light before it shone so brightly the boys had to shield their eyes. Then as quickly as the light appeared it began to fade and with it the shadow walker faded too until there was nothing left.

  ‘What was in that bottle?’ asked George looking at the spot where the creature had been.

  ‘Would you believe me if I said liquid sunshine?’ replied the Elder smiling at George.

  ‘Right now I would believe anything you told me,’ George replied still looking for any trace of the shadow walker.

  ‘They do not like the daylight, and they especially do not like sunshine. It affects almost all of them, and when used correctly will kill them. There is one, which I pray we never meet who can walk in the daytime and is more powerful than all the others.’ Elder Sanderson’s voice showed a touch of fear, and his hand moved over a faint scar on his neck as he talked.

  The Elder caught himself touching the scar and stopped, then muttered something neither boy could hear before approaching the mural of the Vikings. He ran his hand over the writing on the boat, continuing to mutter as he went. He paused and pressed his hand against part of the writing then took out another bottle from his coat. He whispered something, placed a drop of the liquid from this new bottle onto his fingertip before circling the word he stopped at three times. He then stepped back and waited. Just as Peter was about to question what was going on the mural shuddered, and some small stones fell to the ground. A faint glow started from the word the Elder had circled, spreading to each of the Vikings in the picture. One by one they began to move then disappear. Soon there were no Vikings left in the mural. The Elder turned his head to the Longship and smiled. The Vikings began to appear on board taking the same places they held on the mural.

  The Elder clapped his hands and moved towards the Longship.

  ‘What word did you circle Mr Sanderson?’ asked Peter

  ‘The word in the language of the Viking is hlifa, but to you or me it means protect. It is time for the Vikings to protect their leader and their leader's descendants,’ the Elder replied.

  ‘Who is their leader, who are you talking about?’ George questioned.

  ‘All in good time, but now we must get on board and go out to the Cove and wait.’

  The boys followed the Elder and Arto on to the Longship and waited while the Elder spoke with the Vikings. Jake stood next to Arto looking even smaller next to the huge bear. The large Viking at the front stood and faced the others.

  ‘Segl, Segl,’ he shouted to them.

  ‘He is telling them to sail,’ Arto said to the boys seeing the unasked question in their eyes. The Longship began to rock, and the boys were asked to sit as they set off through a dark winding underground river out into the Cove.

  Back at the house Granddad and the remaining two Elders brought the other guardians together to devise their plan. The eagle and the two dragons were sent to watch the sea; they would alert anyone if ships were seen leaving. The great double doors of the mansion provided just enough room for the dragons to squeeze themselves through, and then they were gone into the night. The gryphons and four of the knights would escort the three men as they headed for the caves. The other knights would remain behind ensuring nothing else entered the mansion.

  With the plan in place, Granddad went upstairs into the spare room next to George's room. He used a large key to unlock the door and switched on the lights. Inside there were four paintings of Viking warriors and in the middle of the room a case with a helmet and shield inside.

  He looked at each of the pictures in turn and uttered the words ‘hofi neinn lengr minn brooir, aevi til bardagi’. Sleep no longer my brothers, time to fight.

  As soon as the words were spoken the four Vikings awoke and stepped out to stand side by side with Granddad.

  ‘The witches have returned we must hurry.’ Without another word Granddad removed his helmet and shield from the case and led the other men downstairs.

  As they reached the bottom of the stairs, they were met by the guardians and the Elders.

  ‘Everyone is awake, and now we take the battle to the caves.’

  ‘They will be expecting us Jacob; they will be watching the entrances to all the caves,’ Elder Andersen said.

  ‘Then we will go in another way,’ Granddad replied. ‘Follow me.’

  He turned and headed for the back door, passing two knights standing guard. He led the group out to the fountain in the back garden. Without a word the other four Vikin
gs moved to positions around the fountain. Granddad then took his place, and all five drew their swords. Each man placed his sword in one of the rectangular holes in the base, and as they did so the water stopped running, and a deep grumbling sound began beneath their feet. The entire fountain rose out of the ground as the men withdrew their swords and stood back. The fountain rose then moved back revealing a passageway that sloped down into darkness.

  ‘There are torches inside that liquid sunshine will light. Myself and the Elders will each take one; everyone else will position themselves between the torches. The gryphons will take up the rear in case we are surprised,' Granddad explained before heading into the tunnel. One by one they stepped into the tunnel and began their descent into the caves.

  Now this is interesting it thought to itself, where do they think they are going? At least now it knew for sure that Jacob was still alive and could warn the Master. It floated down to the tunnel and had to admit it admired the work that had gone into concealing the entrance. It would give them just enough of a head start to think they were not being followed then it would send in the ogres. They should just about fit into the tunnel. It might even go itself, after all even the Shadow King needed to have some fun too.